Inertial Microfluidics-Based Separation of Microalgae Using a Contraction-Expansion Array Microchannel.

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Microfluidics
• Cell Separation Technology

Background:

• Conventional microalgae separation, like micropipetting, is labor-intensive, time-consuming, and requires skilled operators.
• Obtaining a pure microalgal strain using traditional methods can take months of repeated separation.
• Efficient microalgae separation is crucial for fundamental research and ensuring product quality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of microfluidic cell sorting for simple and effective microalgae separation.
• To develop an alternative to conventional, labor-intensive microalgae separation techniques.
• To leverage microalgal morphology and size differences for advanced separation.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a contraction-expansion array microchannel for size-based microalgae separation.
• Employed inertia-based microfluidic cell sorting at a Reynolds number of 9.
• Separated two model microalgal species: Chlorella vulgaris (C. vulgaris) and Haematococcus pluvialis (H. pluvialis).

Main Results:

• Successfully separated C. vulgaris and H. pluvialis based on size using microfluidic technology.
• Achieved high purity rates: 97.9% for C. vulgaris and 94.9% for H. pluvialis.
• Demonstrated no signs of cell damage during the separation process.

Conclusions:

• Microfluidic cell sorting is a viable and efficient alternative to conventional microalgae separation methods.
• Inertia-based separation technology offers a powerful solution for high-purity microalgae isolation.
• This technology simplifies and accelerates the process of obtaining single microalgal strains.